What do you picture when you dream of experiencing Alaska? Do you see yourself watching whales and sea otters play while viewing majestic glaciers as they calve into the ocean from the comfort of your deck chair? How about visiting frontier cities and learning how the native Alaskans live? Can you envision yourself fishing for salmon as they swim upstream? If you answered yes to any of the above questions, then you definitely must vacation in Alaska next summer!
Now that we know you should plan an Alaska vacation in the not-too-distant future, you must decide if you will “goeth by land or goeth by sea.” In a perfect world, you will do both. After all, you really need to do both in order to see even a fragment of what this vast state has to offer. But not everyone has 2-plus weeks to vacation in Alaska, so you may need to choose.
My Decision
A few years back, my husband and I decided to vacation in Alaska. I immediately started planning a cruise from Vancouver to Whittier, then continuing on our own through the Kenai Peninsula up to Denali and Fairbanks. Imagine my disappointment to realize that my husband only had 5 days of vacation in the first year at his new job. Choices clearly had to be made!
I really wanted to experience the glaciers calving and watch the sea life, plus enjoy diversions into a handful of Alaskan port towns along the way. So if I could only have one week, a cruise was my first choice for an Alaska vacation. My husband couldn’t imagine anything worse than being stuck on a boat he could not fish from. So, his dream vacation in Alaska was on dry land.
He won. After all, a vacation to Alaska was more his dream than mine, and I typically enjoy several trips a year.
Your Alaska Vacation Choice(s)
My decision was easy and obvious. Mike deserved the Alaska vacation of his dreams, and we can always go back to do it my way after he retires. But what if selflessly having a happy husband isn’t the deciding factor? Well, obviously, if you have the time (at least 2 weeks) and money, you should do both. But what if either time or money are lacking? Hopefully this handy guide will help you choose the Alaska vacation that is best for you!
| Activity | Land | Sea |
| Glacier Viewing * you can take a 1/2 day excursion from Seward but this is not nearly so awe inspiring as on a cruise that spends a day in the magnificent Glacier Bay | • | |
| Whale Watching * you can take a 1/2 day excursion from most port towns, but you are more likely to see whales on a cruise | • | |
| Sea Lion and Otter Watching | • | • |
| Other Wildlife Viewing (Bear, Moose, etc) * you might see wildlife on a shore excursion but it is less likely than if you hang out inland | • | |
| Deep Sea Fishing Excursions | • | • |
| Fishing for Salmon in the River as they Swim Upstream | • | |
| Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) * best viewed outside of the endless daylight hours the summer month bring | • | |
| Visit Denali National Park and Preserve (home to highest peak in North America). Although consider Talkeetna instead. It offers better views of the mountain and more wildlife. | • | |
| Experience River Rafting Over the Rapids | • | |
| Visit Kennels and Dog Sledding Experience | • | • |
| Winter (Snow) Sports | • | |
| Learn About the Native Culture | • | • |
| Ride the Alaskan Railroad Through the Remote Wilderness | • | |
| Sail From Port to Port While Viewing the Alaskan Coastline | • |
Your Alaska Vacation Decision
No matter how you plan to spend your vacation in Alaska, it is sure to be great! The important thing is to choose the travel method and style that best fits your personality and meets your goals. I honestly believe taking a cruise followed by a week or more on land (but not in conjunction with a cruise line) is the best way to see the most captivating aspects of this state.
If you are leaning toward a land portion to your Alaska vacation, then check out my post about my 7 Days in Alaska on Dry Land. In this post I will provide details about how Mike and I traveled using a combination of rental cars and the Alaska Railroad to tour from Seward, Anchorage, Denali, and Fairbanks. We even made it to North Pole, Alaska and met Santa on July 4!
Ready to Plan Your Alaska Vacation?
Well I can help! As a Certified Alaska Specialist and an Ocean Cruising Specialist, I can plan and book the Alaska vacation to meet your dreams. I do not charge a fee for my services and can often save you money, so get in touch with me today. To get the “best side” of the ship you will want to book your cruise 12-18 months in advance. So don’t delay!
Do you plan to spend your vacation to Alaska on a cruise, on a tour, or on a cruise tour? Let us know in the comment section and join us for other great travel debates! You can also contact us and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest so you never miss a post!
